Break Me - Vesperia Drabble

_____

Baction.

This was the place where they had Estelle, and they would be ready to do whatever it took to get her back.  Alexei had finally shown his true colors, and now the Empire was suffering for his actions. Everyone wanted to put an end to it, but for as much as it was for the world… it was mostly for Estelle.

The group stood before the great shrine, ready to enter when they saw the white haired man, clad in red. Commandant Alexei.

Yuri’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it on the sight of the wicked man. “Alexei!” he screamed, seeing the pink haired princess that floated behind him, held captive by Apathia and the man’s wicked powers.

He turned to face the intruders, and a small frown appeared on the face of the Commandant. “Pathetic Fools. You don’t even begin to understand my power.”  Sword raised, the stones around the young girl began to glow, until a great power was unleashed, leaving the princess only to scream out in agony.

It was a wall of force that crashed into them, and all Yuri and the others could do was raise their arms in a vain attempt to not let it overcome them. They all went tumbling backwards, crashing into ground with a great force. Yuri’s head struck the ground hard, and felt himself grow dizzy quickly.

“Damn you…. Alexei…”

All he saw was black.

The sound of clanking armor came forth as a tall man, clad in orange made his presence known. The Commandant looked over his shoulder to see the dark haired knight that had appeared on the scene and his lips curved up into a grin.

“Ah Schwann. Prefect timing.” he spoke to his subordinate with a wicked grin on his lips, as he watched the other man’s gaze fall onto the group of travelers that lay on the ground. “Kill them.” he ordered without a second thought.

Crack.

It was almost as if he could feel it, the smallest of fractures start to split his heart, even if he had lost his real one so many years ago.

Wasn’t that a little excessive? Did he really have to kill them? Even more so when they were all so vulnerable?  His eyes moved from one to the next, starting with Judith, to Rita, to Karol, till they finally stopped on the sight of the would be leader, the great Yuri Lowell, lying on the ground, unconscious, sword just out of his reach, completely helpless.

That’s what they all were right there… helpless.

So how could to take the their lives, when they were in such a state?  His hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword tightly, as he started to draw it, hesitating as his eyes fixed their gaze onto the sleeping face of the young wolf. It killed him. It was so much easier to see as he lay on the ground unmoving.  His features were so soft, so young… so innocent. It was something he couldn’t really see until he saw the boy like this. Yes, that’s exactly what he was… a boy who was barely a man, just a young little pup.

And Alexei wanted them dead? How much more trouble could they cause?

He could feel the burning gaze of his commanding officer prying into the back of his neck, as if to singe the flesh away with his sight alone. He was taking too long…he needed to do it…he was a soldier, and soldiers didn’t have time for feelings or compassion, they only did what was necessary to win the war.

But they were kids. Children.

That didn’t matter in on the battlefield. He drew the blade from it’s sheath branding it towards his fallen companions, grip shaking as it his hand wrapped the hilt.

“Wait.” Alexei sounded without warning, a wicked grin stretching wide across his face. “I have a much better use for these pawns. Take them with us, back to Zaphias.”

He was confused, but still he obeyed. At he didn’t have to kill them…yet.

Only the lord knew what cards Alexei was actually holding.

Still as ordered, Schwann and his brigade gathered up the sleeping travelers, and once Alexei’s work at this particular spot was finished they headed back to Zaphias.

__

Their eyes opened to the sight of large white pillars, and a rather expensively decorated room.

Rita moved her hand to her head, as she looked to the other’s in the room, with a groan of pain.

“Where are we?” she asked, seeing the other two starting to come around.

Judith was next to come back to life, as her gaze followed the interior of room, only to circle around until it fell back to her companions.  ”I don’t know.” She replied, with a sigh.

“Urgh…” the last one groaned, as his eyes opened slowly, landing on the sight of the two girls looking at him with concerned expressions.

“Karol, are you alright?” The eldest of the three asked him, as the Krityan leaned close to him, placing a hand gently on the boy’s head.

He nodded as he looked around the room, trying to figure out where they were. They were setting on a plush couch; paintings decorating the room, with fancy frames made of golden trim. His eyes continued to scroll the room, until he released something. His eyes flashed quickly back and forth, as he jumped to his feet suddenly panicked.

“Karol?” Judith questioned, tilting her head to the side. “What is it?”

The boy spun around, his face pale with fear, at his realization. “Guys?” he started, taking in a short breath. “Where’s Yuri?”

The color drained from the faces of the girls at the mention of the wolf, as they too looked frantically around the room, seeing not even a trace of the color purple.

They didn’t even have time for the panic to set in as the sound of the doors creaking open echoed through the air, sending all of their gazes flying to the source of the sound.

There they stood, two knights to each side, and in the middle Commandant Alexei.

All of their gazes narrowed, not one of them willing to acknowledge the white haired man’s athourrity.

“Where’s Yuri?!” Karol blurted out, as if instinct, glaring darts at the man before him.

His lips curved up into a grin, and the knight spoke. “Yuri Lowell is dead.” There was no emotion in his voice. It was nothing more than a deep commanding boom, that made the group jump up in anger.

“You’re lying!” Rita spat at him, her gaze narrowing on the man, as the thought of her companion’s condition plagued her mind.

“You pathetic fools, I struck him down with my own hands. Yuri Lowell is no more.” It was the same emotionless, commanding boom that echoed through the room, as the man reached into the pocket of his uniform, pulling out a a small golden bracelet adorned with ruby gems. His lips turned up into a wicked grin as he tossed it to the floor as if it was nothing more than a common piece of filth.

Their eyes went wide, freezing as the bracelet struck the ground. Rita let out a low growl, as Judith could only glare, holding Karol as he pushed his face into the woman’s side as he started to cry.

“You…” came the hissed growl of the mage, as she started to chant an incantation under her breath.

The Commandant only gave the girl a harsh glare, halting her in her work.

“Don’t waste your time, Rita Mordio.” He retorted, not even bothering to make an advance towards the obvious threat. “I’m not here to harm any of you. I’m here to tell you, leave, and don’t return or you will meet the same fate as your friend.”

He turned his back to them, as if to say that they weren’t even worth his time. “You will not be given a second warning.”

And without another word the man was gone.

For now, they would let themselves be escorted out of the castle, but without words it was easy to see that agreed that they had to do something… for Yuri’s sake.

__

“Urgh.” It was a low pained sound that was admitted, as a hand moved up to tangle fingers into a mess of violet locks. The wolf sat up slowly, his head ringing with pain as he looked around his surroundings to see all to familiar bars and the drab of dark grey bricks that made of the prison cell he was confined to.

He sighed a little, as he found himself setting up on the rickety bed that was almost the only thing within the cell. Letting out a growl of disapproval, he simply waited for someone to notice that he was awake.

“Well this was unexpected.” he groaned with a sigh, as the pain continued to ring into his ears.

Several hours passed before anyone even came to check on the wolf, and soon he was met with the icy gaze of a dark haired man, clad in orange. He held no emotion  on his features, looking like the image of death now walking.

At first the man said nothing, simply watching the boy, as he saw those darkened orbs of brown fill with distrust and rage.

“So honored to be greeted with your presence, Captain Schwann.” The wolf snarled, as he locked his gaze with the other man. His temper was obviously flaring from the sarcastic tone that was enveloping his voice.  

“You know who I am, Yuri Lowell?” Came the questioning low tone of the man on the outside of the bars.

Yuri only gave him a sharp smirk, standing for a moment to walk to the edge of his cell, wrapping his hands around the cold iron that kept him at bay. He leaned through them as far as he could, his shoulders pressing against the metal, as he looked the man dead in the eyes defiantly. “Don’t treat like a child. I’m not stupid, Old Man.” he paused as his smirk grew into an all knowing grin. “Or should I call you Raven?”

Crack.  

There it was again. That feeling of his heart slowly separating as the emotion continued to crack his heart despite it having been long since gone.

He drew in a breath, collecting his composer, as he eyed the boy with curiousity.

“You knew?” he asked, his tone remaining that of a soldier, callus to the concerns of his prisoner.

“Of course I knew. It wasn’t that hard to figure out. How else would you always know where we were? I’m not an idiot, Old Man. “

The Knight said nothing for a moment, drawing in a breath, before he focused himself on the task at hand. He wasn’t here to make idle chit chat, he had a job to do.

“You will address me with respect, Yuri Lowell. This ‘Raven’ you speak of is not here.” he commanded, as he watched the grip the boy held on the bars tighten in anger.

“Now, I have been sent here, to offer you a deal.”

“I’m listening, Captain.” Yuri retorted, spatting the last word in his elder’s face, as childishly as he could.

“In exchange for the lives of your friends, you will behave. The Commandant says he has a special job for you.”

The blood pooled into the younger man’s knuckles as he gripped the bars so hard that the skin turned as white as snow. “You’re blackmailing me? I didn’t think you’d fall so low. I bet he just wants to make an example out of me.” He snapped back quickly, his eyes a fiery mess of uncontrolled anger now.

“I will be back for your answer in a few hours. Make you choice wisely, and don’t be so selfish to forget that you are not just playing with your own life, Yuri Lowell.”

The Knight turned his back to the boy, ignoring the sound of the violet haired man, slamming his fists against the bars in anger.

“I’m not done talking to you yet!” He growled, but received no form of acknowledgement as the First Captain turned to leave the room.

“Get Back here!!” he bellowed again, as the sound of clanking armor filled the air.

“Get Back here, Old Man!” he cried again, his voice echoing off the walls of the prison hall.

“RAVEN!!!!”  

____

Several more hours passed, hours of the young wolf taking his violent rage out on the bed and the walls, as he continued to scream out his frustrations. Soon, the sound of footsteps could be heard coming ever so closer, and the violet hair haired man was instantly clinging to the bars to see who was approaching. His eyes narrowed when he saw the face of Leblanc, one of Schwann’s men, instead of the captain himself.

“Yuri Lowell…” he started, only to receive a glare.

“Where’s your captain?” the wolf snapped, his temper that of a fuse that was already burnt through.

“He said he had other matters to attend to, and told me to come for your answer.” The Knight gave him a look…a look of sympathy, and he sighed. There was something about seeing the boy this way that just made Leblanc’s stomach turn. “In all honestly, Yuri. From his composer, I don’t think he wanted to face you again.” he confessed, watching the boy’s features soften ever so slightly.

A sigh escaped him, as his grip on the bars of his cell loosened, and he brought his gaze to the man before him. “Tell them, I’ll behave.” he spoke with a defeated looked. “But Leblanc… will you stay here for a moment… and talk to me?” he asked looking away from the other man, letting his weight hang from his grasp on the iron pillars of the door before him.

The soldier titled his head to the side, and sighed. He wasn’t allowed to make exceptions, or take the time to even listen to prisoners, but this was Yuri Lowell, and something in his heart told him to stay.

“I’m listening, Yuri, but please be quick. I shouldn’t stay too long.”

The young vigilante sighed, looking to the man with the most sincere of looks. “Be straight with me Leblanc. I’m a dead man, aren’t I? There’s no way Alexei is going to keep me alive. I think we both know that.”  

He watched as the other’s face grew somber as he spoke. His gaze shifted away from the younger man, as he sighed. “I honestly can’t tell you what he has in mind, Yuri. I honestly don’t know.”

“I see.” He sighed, dropping his head to look at the floor for a moment taking a minute or two to think. “Then will you do me a favor?” came the sound of Yuri’s voice in a honest request.

“What do you need?”

“Just a piece of paper, and a pen. You could at least let a dead man, write out his last words, right?” It was a grim smile that crossed his lips at the request, and he noticed how the man could barely look him in the eyes after the words left his lips.

He simply walked away to the watchman’s desk at the front of the hall and returned to the boy with the items he was seeking. A pen, and a single piece of paper.

“If you need more paper… I might be able to get you more…but I shouldn’t even be doing this, Yuri. I’m sorry.” he spoke with a mournful tone.

The wolf gave him a smile, completely unfitting for the situation, as he took the objects from the knight. Without Warning, Yuri reached his arm as far through the bars as he could, pulling the man into them as he hooked his hand around Leblanc’s shoulders. It was a poor attempt of an embrace, but it was just something Yuri felt was needed. Letting the soldier go, he gave the man a small nod, in thanks for the paper that he held in his hand.

“Thanks, Leblanc. It’s been a fun time all these years. I’m gunna miss it.”

He wasn’t really expecting the man to say anything. He was honestly expecting the man to simply walk away from him.

But instead his eyes went wide, as he saw the man, pull to attention, in a full salute. “It has been my honor, Yuri Lowell. It has been my honor. “

And with those words, he was gone.

There was a faint smile that appeared on the lips of the small wolf, as his hand gripped the pen tightly, trying to hold back the emotions that were threatening to bubble forward.

He had a lot of get out, much to say, so he planted himself on the floor in front of the low hung bed, placing the paper down - he started writing.

___

Morning came, and a few hours passed. No came to attend to the wolf, and he let out a sigh, wondering when the Great Commandant would even show his face. Yuri knew that the man had to come..he had to. Alexei wasn’t the kind of person to not gloat over his little victories, and having the wolf captive had to be just that.  

The clanking sound of armor footsteps echoed through the hall of the prison, and the violet haired vigilante looked up, curious to who was the one to greet him this time.

Brown hair, clad in orange, and that icy cold stare again.

“Got your composer back I see, Captain.” he retorted with a grin.

The man said nothing, as he brandished the key to the cell, opening the door and taking a step inside. Yuri only shrugged, waiting to see what the man wanted.

He wasn’t alone, the wolf noted, no the captain had brought along Leblanc, and his  other two faithful morons.  Rolling his eyes, he looked up to the man, as that icy gaze fell on him.

“Stand, and turn around.” Came the low order, as he sighed and stood, turning his back to the man without question. He said he would behave…he had to…for the sake of his friends.

Yuri may hadn’t ever received a formal education, but he was by no means a dull mind either. His friends meant more than just the ones he was traveling with.  It meant Estelle, it meant Flynn… if he didn’t play the good boy, he knew he would be putting them in danger too.  He let out a sigh, knowing that this probably was it, the end, but he had resolved his issues, and set his demons to the side.  If he  had to say that this was his last day, then he had no regrets.

At least he would die knowing that they - his only family- would be safe.

A strong grip wrapped it’s self around the wolf’s wrist, pulling his arms behind his back. The rough feeling of a rope pressed tightly into the bare skin, as Yuri felt the knot get pulled into place. This wasn’t a good sign, but still he sighed, and began to walk as he was lead out of the small cell.

A knight at each side, Yuri kept his gaze to the floor, as they lead him to the intended destination.

“So…” he started, a soft tone…”Where are we off to?” he asked in a curious tone, an almost broken tone, not wanting to seem like he was stepping out of line.

From the looks that the surrounding knights wore, he could only assume the worst.

There was a long moment of silence, before anyone spoke. It grew awkward, as the wolf put his gaze back to the floor, sighing a little, not really surprised that he wasn’t receiving an answer.

“The Gallows.”

The First Captain’s voice broke the air, shattering the silence, causing all the color to wash from the wolf’s face, as his skin was painted in a deathly white.

“Oh.”

_____

It wasn’t very often that something like a public execution was held within the walls of the Empire, but Alexei wanted to make an example of the boy - an example of the power he held; an example that he was the true ruler of the world and no one could stop him.

Almost the entire population of the city had gathered to see what all the fuss was about, and such a gathering of people was sure to draw attention. Mainly the attention of the little lost travelers that had been told to leave not so long ago.

“What’s going on?” Karol asked, not able to see over the large mass of people before him.

“I don’t know. I can’t see anything.” Rita responded with a disgruntled huff.

“Perhaps we should find higher ground.” Judith suggested, looking about the area for a way to see to what was actually happening at the center of the crowd.

___

They had to hold him back, as the dark haired man was walked onto the platform.  His gaze never once looking up. Dark eyes caught the sight of white out of the corner of his eyes, and he looked up momentarily to see the sight of a blond knight, clad in all white, being held at bay, and a princess, who could only hold her hands over her mouth as she wept.

“Yuri!!! No… You can’t just let them…” she sobbed.

“Why are you even doing this?! Fight them Yuri! Why are you …” Flynn chimed in, glaring darts at his long time friend, struggling fiercely to free himself from the knights that surrounded him.

Yuri’s lips curved into a small mournful smile. His eyes shone with a faded light, a light that used to burn so brightly, but now…now he was broken…a shadow of the man that they once knew.

“For you. For all of you.” he answered softly, as one of the knights on the platform, pushed him roughly into place, bringing down the rope that hung next to the small framed swordsman.

He dropped his head, letting his hair hang in his face, as he felt the man, grab the long flow of violet in one hand, moving it out of the way, as he pulled the noose over his head.

It hung there loosely, as none other than Commandant Alexei himself, stepped forward, to address the crowd.

“Good People of the Capital! I present to you, the criminal, Yuri Lowell.” he started, gesturing to the man behind him. “He has been tried and found guilty of the follow offences.  Murder of an Imperial Councilmen, Murder of an Imperial Officer, abduction of a royal family member, and that is only the beginning of his crimes. The punishment for his actions is death. Yuri Lowell… do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Just make it quick.”

As the crowd roared, it only brought concern to the traveler’s minds. What was going on? They couldn’t even hear the words that whoever it was…were saying.

So they climbed higher, making their way until they were standing on a roof top that was over looking the area.  All three sets of eyes went wide at sight their gaze fell on. There he was… alive. Alexei had fooled them all.

Yuri was alive…for now, but from the looks of things if they didn’t do something he wouldn’t be for much longer.

“YURIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!” Karol screamed as loud as his voice would carry, leaning forward at the sight of his brother.

Dark eyes jerked up, concerned, confused…they went straight for the voice, seeing the three of them - Karol, Rita and Judith all alive …well…free. Wait a minute… that means that Alexei had tricked him.

No.

He had to.

“KARO—-” He started to scream back, taking a step forward as the floor beneath his feet was released and he stumbled backwards, eyes wide in fear as the only thing that caught him was the noose ever tightening it’s deathly grip on his neck.

He was one of the unlucky ones. There was no crack, no break, no sound. The fall didn’t kill him. No it only pulled the teeth of the rope deep into the flesh of the most fragile part of the wolf’s body. He was struggling, fighting to breath as he felt the weight of his body rocking back and forth on the rope from the force of the fall.

He could hear all of it, as his eyes grew cloudy and head dizzy. He could hear the sounds of Estelle screaming, and weeping in horror. Flynn was screaming his name, and fighting with everything he had…while he dangle there on the thread of life that was breaking all too fast.

“Rita! Do something!” Karol yelled at her, as his eyes watched the horrifying scene before them.

“I’m trying!” she retorted, chanting the incantation for a fire spell.

“Well hurry up, he doesn’t have a lot of time.” Judith urged her, as she leap from the edge, landing right in the middle of the crowd.

“Fireball!” the mage finally finished, sending the spell blasting through the rope that was keeping their friend from the safety of the ground, and they all let out a sigh of relief when they herd the undignified thud his body made when it was finally cut loose.

“NOBODY TOUCH HIM!” Came the loud commanding boom of the amazon from the center of the crowd. The citizens of the capital parted the way as they watched her, deciding it was better than getting tossed to the side.

Judith made her way to him, slowly, until she stood over the broken body of the man she so proudly held the battle field with, seeing his eyes wide, and lifeless.

“Yuri, it’s alright now. We thought you were dead, but we came for you.” she spoke in a soft tone, as she pulled the man into her arms.

The Knights all clashed around in a fuss, ready to arrest the woman for interfering but they were simply given a glare of disapproval. “Stand down.” Alexei ordered, and every knight froze at the command.

Judith’s eyes went wide at the feeling. His skin was cold, and his body was limp. He  looked like a doll, worn from too much use.  His chest was still…his heart wasn’t beating.

“Yuri…” she breathed out in a tone of disbelief as the grief consumed her, lifting his body into her arms. She stood, a look of mournful guilt washing over her, as she turned, walking through the crowd, being greeted by her friends as the two rushed to her side.

“Yuri?” Karol chimed, eyes wide with concern. He was alright wasn’t he? He was just sleeping…wasn’t he?  ”Judith tell me he’s just…”

“He’s dead.” she whispered as the tears fell, continuing to make her way out of the city.

___

Schwann was in his quarters, angry, furious. How could Alexei lie to him like that? his friends… they were released? Then why?! Why did he have to put the wolf through that? Why did the boy have to give up his life? Why did Yuri Lowell have to die…so young?

There was a knock at the door, and without even hearing a ‘permission to enter’, the door creaked open, and there stood Leblanc.

“Captain..I…” he started, only to receive an icy, frustrated glare that could send shudders down anyone’s spine.

“Leave, I don’t want to see anyone right now.” he snarled, but looked curiously as his Lieutenant produced a folded white piece of paper.  

“But Captain Schwann… I have a letter for you.”

“Leave. It’s not important. I’ll read it later.”

“But sir…” the man’s voice was soft, caring, but ever so much urging. “It’s from Yuri Lowell.”

His soft green eyes went wide for a moment, as he stormed over to his subordinate, snatching the paper from his hands. “Leave.” He commanded, unfolding the paper, as the other solder, did just as he was ordered.

It was a messy sight of black pen on white, poor hand writing and misspelled words, showing no signs of education, but still the heart that the boy was trying to convey was there.

‘Old Man,

I don’t have a lot of time to write this, nor do I really know what to say. I’m completely aware of the fact, that I’m a dead man, so I guess I just wanted to get this all out before I was gone. I know I wasn’t the best person in the world, and I did a lot of things that I probably shouldn’t have but in all honesty I don’t regret it. I had a lot of fun traveling with you all. You really grew on me. I never had a family of my own, so I guess - even if it was short - it was nice to finally feel what it would have been like to be loved.

I really looked up to you, Old Man. I know I never said it, but having you around…it made our little group feel like home. Tell Karol to stand up tall, and keep going. Brave Vesperia is going to be huge, I just know it. Tell him I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to watch it grow. I know he’ll be mad at me, but tell I’m really sorry..Okay?  Judith… tell her thanks for all the good times, and that I’m sorry for being such a jerk and taking the easy way out.  Estelle, keep smiling okay? Your kindness and smile was one of the things I wanted to always protect the most. I’m sorry I can’t be there to look out for you anymore. Rita, I’ll miss her too. She was a  little fire cracker, always there to keep me in line. Thanks for that. Tell Flynn, that I know I’m a jerk, but it had to be done. He’s going to have to pick up my slack now too.

That’s our little family, Old Man. So will you do me a favor or two? I would like to be buried next to Captain Fedrock if it’s not too much trouble. He was like a father to me, when I was in the knights. Oh, and protect them for me, okay? I know I’m a jerk and I can’t be there for them anymore, but you can do that for me right?

Most important, I just want you to know. Even after everything.

I forgive you, Raven.

- Yuri”


It was at that moment, that everything the solder was collapsed.

All he could do was set there and cry.

What had he done?

Because he knew…that now… Alexei had truly won.